“Crystal Meltwater,” Jeremiah Gill Submitted photo

Combining reality and imagination, the oil paintings of Jeremiah Gill will be the first guest artist exhibit to be featured at Gallery 302 this season. The exhibit will be on view from Saturday, May 8, through Friday, June 18. In lieu of a reception, an online interview with Jeremiah will be aired at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, on the Gallery 302 Facebook page and can be seen there at any time going forward by clicking the videos button.

Artist Jeremiah Gill paints at Portland Headlight. Submitted photo

Gill enhanced his drawing skills at the University of Rochester, and then graduated with honors from the University of Connecticut. He further developed his natural ability to draw by studying technical drawing at Southern Maine Technical College. He was featured at the Island Art Gallery (Kennedy Studios) on Martha’s Vineyard, where his work was displayed and sold until Covid-19 disrupted the gallery.

Gill paints for the pleasure of capturing the feeling of beauty and energy that exists – in people, at the ocean, in the mountains or desert. The idea for a painting comes when he experiences an “aha” moment, but once the painting begins to develop Jeremiah looks into it like it is a real world and pays less attention to what is “out there”. Intent on capturing that fleeting feeling he alters whatever is necessary to achieve it, and often adds things to clarify that feeling, perhaps boats or horses or wildlife or people.

He states, “Big vistas, cozy cottages, shady nooks, they can all entrance us when the light is right and we suddenly awaken. Painting that moment when I feel “Ooohh” is what keeps me excited. Being able to share it with others is a joy, and when I hang it in my home it is like a permanent window into that beauty that I so loved!”

Gallery 302 is located at 112 Main St., Bridgton. Gallery hours are from 12 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday; and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday. For more information, call (207) 647-2787, visit gallery302.com or visit the Facebook page.

“Outlaw Mountain,” Jeremiah Gill Submitted photo